Danilo “Danny” Santiago, the father of the Philippine Autocross Championship Series (PACS) passed away Saturday morning at the age of 65. He succumbed to cardiac arrest.
Before becoming a race organizer, Danny was a rally driver in the late 70’s starting with his L-type Mitsubishi Lancer with his former wife as navigator. He had his own team, Shago Racing. Through the years he raced using different cars from brands like Mitsubishi and Toyota. But one unforgettable vehicle Danny used in the late 80’s was the MD Jeepstar, a locally assembled Wrangler-looking jeep that is now classified as an SUV.
Danny tried Slalom as well and went on to become a six-time National Slalom champion, a record that still stands. He did it in six consecutive years.
A few years after this feat, Danny conceptualized and organized a new motorsport discipline, Autocross. This paved the way for another grassroots racing attracting hundreds of aspiring drivers who wanted to get into motorsports.
In his last years, aside from running the Philippine Autocross Championship Series, Danny Santiago would also compete in the Philippine Rallycross Series sharing cars with Rallycross champion Steve Acayan, one of his closest friends.
More than four decades of thrills and spills. A truly passionate race car driver. Unselfishly sharing everything he knew to different generations. A well-loved gentleman in the community. Godspeed, Shago.
We lost a Slalom legend that up to date no one has surpassed his six consecutive crowns. We will miss him dearly. – Bing Bang Dulce, RACE Motorsports Club
I learned a lot from him. He didn’t just organize. He taught as well. Thank you for everything. – Danby Yaptinchay, seven-time Philippine Autocross Championship Series champion
I have known him for more than 40 years. Always full of laughter on and off the track. He will be missed. – Steve Acayan, Rallycross champion
